Slot and Alignment Trainer For Bowling

ABSTRACT

A slot and alignment trainer for bowling is disclosed. An example slot and alignment trainer for bowling includes a base and a plurality of guide posts configurable in the base to introduce multiple levels of difficulty. A plurality of openings may be formed in the base. Each of the plurality of openings is prepositioned to receive one of the plurality of guide posts. An adjustable slot may be formed by a plurality of spaced apart guide posts extending upright in the base. The adjustable slot may be configured in the base to provide a user with real-time feedback while practicing a bowling swing.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/320,463 filed Apr. 9, 2016 for “Slot and alignment trainer for bowling” of Rex William Byron, hereby incorporated by reference herein for all that it discloses as though fully recited herein.

BACKGROUND

One of the biggest problems bowlers face is consistency in their swing. Most bowlers struggle with alignment of their body and trying to create a straight-back, straight-forward swing. Many bowlers swing around their back to some degree and then over compensate for that as they swing forward, often resulting in their arm coming across the front of their body and making them miss their mark or fall off balance. This erratic swing makes every shot a little different and makes the bowler less consistent.

During the swing, a person's arm acts like a pendulum, and gravity helps move the swing from the back of the swing to the front of the swing. As a person swings the bowling ball, he or she tends to add muscle to the swing instead of letting gravity do the work, this causes the swing plane to change. There has been no effective way to give immediate feedback regarding where along the swing plane the swing is out of alignment.

Historically bowling coaches have had to tell bowlers if their swing is out of alignment, and often this is difficult to see because the bowler is only slightly off. Even when videotaping a bowler, it takes a trained eye to see where the issues are with a swing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example slot and alignment trainer for bowling in an unassembled state.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the example slot and alignment trainer for bowling in a first assembled state.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of an example slot and alignment trainer for bowling in a second assembled state.

FIGS. 3A-3B are perspective views of example training devices which may be implemented with the slot and alignment trainer for bowling.

FIGS. 4A-C are side perspective views illustrating a user implementing the example slot and alignment trainer for bowling.

FIGS. 5A-C are top perspective views corresponding to FIGS. 4A-C, illustrating a user implementing the example slot and alignment trainer for bowling.

FIG. 6A shows an example slot and alignment trainer 100′ configured with different height rods 120′.

FIG. 6B is a top view of the example slot and alignment trainer 100′ shown in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example configuration wherein multiple slot and alignment trainers provide a training guide for an entire swing as the user approaches the foul line.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A slot and alignment trainer for bowling is disclosed. The example slot and alignment trainer for bowling may be implemented as a bowling swing training aid. The device may aid the user in improving his or her swing, e.g., for placement of the bowling ball (e.g., slot) and/or alignment of the swing and/or path of the bowling ball once released (e.g., alignment). It is noted that the term “slot” is also used herein to refer to the space between the guide posts or rods that form a path for the bowling ball or training aid to pass through during a practice swing.

The device may have a rubber (or other suitable) base, with holes to insert upright guide post(s) or pegs at predetermined locations (e.g., 6.5 inches apart or 10.5 inches apart) so that the user can practice their swing between those guide posts.

By aligning the body and learning to swing straight back and straight forward, swinging on the most direct path, the device aids the user with direct and immediate feedback, to achieve a better swing and have improved balance. This may lead to the user's swing being more repeatable and more consistent.

Before continuing, it is noted that as used herein, the terms “includes” and “including” mean, but is not limited to, “includes” or “including” and “includes at least” or “including at least.” The term “based on” means “based on” and “based at least in part on.”

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example slot and alignment trainer 100 for bowling in an unassembled state. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the example slot and alignment trainer 100 for bowling in a first assembled state. FIG. 2B is a perspective view of an example slot and alignment trainer 100 for bowling in a second assembled state.

In an example, the slot and alignment trainer 100 includes a base 110, and at least one guide post 120. The guide post(s) 120 are configured to provide a user with real-time feedback while practicing a bowling swing. That is, at least one opening is formed in the base to receive the at least one guide post 120.

The slot and alignment trainer 100 is not limited to any particular number of guide posts 120. Any number of guide posts 120 may be provided. For example, the user may implement the slot and alignment trainer 100 with two guide posts 120, or with more than the four guide posts 120 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2B.

The guide post 120 may be rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible. In an example, the guide post 120 may include a spring-base where the guide post 120 attaches to the base 110. The spring-base may enable the guide post to “give” if the bowling ball or training aid hits the guide post 120 during a practice swing.

In an example, a plurality of openings are formed in the base 110 and prepositioned to receive the at least one guide post 120 at strategic training positions. Having removable guide posts 120 enables the base 110 and at least one guide post 120 can be assembled and unassembled to be portable. Of course, the slot and alignment trainer 100 may be preconfigured with guide posts 120 and need not have removable guide posts 120.

In an example, the slot and alignment trainer 100 has an adjustable slot or path for training. For example, an adjustable slot may include adjustable widths for practicing swinging with different widths of swing aids, the user's hand, or a bowling ball. A first slot width (e.g., wider) is illustrated in FIG. 2A. A second slot width (e.g., narrower) is illustrated in FIG. 2B. More slot widths may also be provided.

In addition, the guide posts 120 are configurable to introduce multiple levels of difficulty. For example, the user may start practice with a wider slot width, and narrow the slot width as the user's swing improves. In another example, the slot width may be configured wider at the opening and/or ending of the swing, and narrower at the middle part of the swing path.

The adjustable slot may also include adjustable heights. For example, the slot height may vary according to size of the training aid and/or height of the user. In addition, the height of the guide posts 120 may be adjusted for varied heights of a bowling swing, such as from the front of the swing (higher), to the bottom of the swing (lower), to the back of the swing (higher).

The slot and alignment trainer 100 is configured to provide real-time or immediate feedback to the user, so that a bowler can adjust their swing as desired (e.g., into the straightest path possible). That is, the training aid, bowling ball, or user's hand passing successfully through the slot path formed by the guide posts 120 indicates that the swing was accurate or matched the desired swing path outlined by the guide posts 120. Whereas, if the training aid, bowling ball, or user's hand touches or bumps one of the guide posts 120, the user will receive immediate and tactile feedback from the guide post 120,

It is noted, that the base 110 may be various shapes (it does not have to be an X), and can also hold more than the number of guide posts 120 shown. For example, the base 110 could be rectangular in shape extending the entire length (or portion thereof) of the users swing, and multiple guide posts 120 may be strategically positioned along some or all of the length of the rectangular base so that the user can practice swinging and receive feedback from the guide posts 120 at any of a number of locations along the swing path.

The examples described above are provided for purposes of illustration, and are not intended to be limiting. Other devices and/or device configurations may be utilized to carry out the operations described herein.

FIGS. 3A-3B are perspective views of example training devices 10 and 10′ which may be implemented with the slot and alignment trainer for bowling. Other training aids may also be provided. The example slot and alignment trainer 100 for bowling can be used with any training aid, and is not limited to the training aids 10 and 10′ described herein. Indeed, the example slot and alignment trainer 100 for bowling may be used with an actual (or practice) bowling ball. The example slot and alignment trainer 100 for bowling can even be used without anything other than the user's hand, for example if a bowling ball or training aid is not available or not practical to use (e.g., at the office).

FIGS. 4A-C are side perspective views illustrating a user 1 implementing the example slot and alignment trainer 100 for bowling. FIGS. 5A-C are top perspective views corresponding to FIGS. 4A-C, illustrating a user 1 implementing the example slot and alignment trainer 100 for bowling. Although a forward swing is illustrated, the slot and alignment trainer 100 may be implemented for forward and/or backward swing.

In an example use, the device 100 is placed on the floor or other surface. The user 1 places their foot 2 next to the device 100. The device 100 may be configured with rods 120 of various lengths. The rods 120 may be placed to form a swing path, e.g., with enough space for a bowling ball or training aid or user's hand to freely swing between the rods 120 without touching the rods 120.

The goal is to swing through the slot and not touch a rod 120. If a rod 120 is touched while swinging through the device 100, the user 1 receives immediate, tactile feedback regarding where their swing is out of alignment. For example, while swinging a bowling ball through the device 100, as illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 4A-C and 5A-C, if the user 1 hits a rod 120 on the outside at the back of the swing, the user 1 is able to feel the resistance of the rod 120, hear the “click” of the rod 120 being hit, and/or see the rod 120 that was hit move or vibrate. Accordingly, the user 1 can make an immediate adjustment to their swing to prevent hitting the rod(s) 120 on the next swing.

As the bowler continues to swing their bowling ball through the device (backward and/or forward swing), the user 1 immediately knows if he or she is swinging straight (or not) without being told. As the user 1 continues to practice swinging through the slot formed by the guide posts 120, he or she is improving his or her alignment and building muscle memory. The user 1 is increasing his or her ability to repeat a proper swing and become more consistent.

In an example, the path can be configured to increase or decrease the space between the rods (widening or narrowing the slot). Adjusting slot width and/or height enables various levels of difficulty. FIG. 6A shows an example slot and alignment trainer 100′ configured with different height rods 120′. FIG. 6B is a top view of the example slot and alignment trainer 100′ shown in FIG. 6A. The rod 120′ lengths can be adjusted higher for the back of the swing or lower for the bottom of the swing, allowing the arm to swing through the slot without hitting the rods 120′. Other configurations of rod lengths (and slot widths) are also contemplated, as will be readily understood by those having ordinary skill in the art after becoming familiar with the teachings herein.

In another example implementation, multiple devices 100 can be laid end to end with rods 120 placed in each device 100 making it possible for the bowler to work on his or her entire swing, front to back, and all the way along the approach to the foul line. FIG. 7 illustrates an example configuration wherein multiple slot and alignment trainers 100 a-c provide a training guide for an entire swing as the user approaches the foul line.

The operations shown and described herein are provided to illustrate example implementations. It is noted that the operations are not limited to the ordering shown. Still other operations may also be implemented.

It is noted that the examples shown and described are provided for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. Still other examples are also contemplated. 

1. A slot and alignment trainer for bowling, comprising: a base; and at least one guide post in the base outlining a portion of a swing path to provide a user with real-time tactile feedback while practicing a bowling swing, the tactile feedback generated by contact with the at least one guide post during the bowling swing.
 2. The slot and alignment trainer for bowling of claim 1, further comprising at least one opening formed in the base to receive the at least one guide post.
 3. The slot and alignment trainer for bowling of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of openings formed in the base, each of the plurality of openings prepositioned to receive the at least one guide post for at least one strategic training position.
 4. The slot and alignment trainer for bowling of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable slot formed by a plurality of spaced apart guide posts extending upright in the base, the adjustable slot configured to various widths to provide variable swing paths for a bowling ball.
 5. The slot and alignment trainer for bowling of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable slot formed by a plurality of spaced apart guide posts extending upright in the base, the adjustable slot configured to various heights to provide variable swing paths for a bowling ball.
 6. The slot and alignment trainer for bowling of claim 5, wherein the variable swing paths have different swing heights along a path of a bowling swing from a front portion of the bowling swing, to a bottom portion of the bowling swing, and to a back portion of the bowling swing.
 7. The slot and alignment trainer for bowling of claim 1, wherein the at least one guide post is configurable to introduce multiple levels of difficulty.
 8. The slot and alignment trainer for bowling of claim 1, wherein the base and at least one guide post are assembled and unassembled to be portable.
 9. A slot and alignment trainer for bowling, comprising: a base; and a plurality of guide posts configured in the base to provide a user with real-time tactile, audible, and/or visual feedback while practicing a bowling swing with a bowling ball, training aid, or hand of the user, the feedback generated by contact between the bowling ball, the training aid, or the hand of the user, and at least one of the guide posts during the bowling swing.
 10. The slot and alignment trainer for bowling of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of openings formed in the base, each of the plurality of openings prepositioned to receive one of the plurality of guide posts to provide a strategic training position.
 11. The slot and alignment trainer for bowling of claim 9, further comprising an adjustable slot formed by a plurality of spaced apart guide posts extending upright in the base, the adjustable slot configured to various widths to provide variable swing paths for a bowling ball.
 12. The slot and alignment trainer for bowling of claim 9, further comprising an adjustable slot formed by a plurality of spaced apart guide posts extending upright in the base, the adjustable slot configured to various heights to provide variable swing paths for a bowling ball.
 13. The slot and alignment trainer for bowling of claim 12, wherein the variable swing paths have different swing heights along of a path of a bowling swing from a front portion of the bowling swing, to a bottom portion of the bowling swing, and to a back portion of the bowling swing.
 14. The slot and alignment trainer for bowling of claim 9, wherein the plurality of guide posts is configurable to introduce multiple levels of difficulty,
 15. The slot and alignment trainer for bowling of claim 9, wherein the base and the plurality of guide posts are assembled and unassembled to be portable.
 16. A slot and alignment trainer for bowling, comprising: a base; and a plurality of guide posts configurable in the base along a swing path to introduce multiple levels of swing training difficulty; a plurality of openings formed in the base, each of the plurality of openings prepositioned to receive one of the plurality of guide posts; and an adjustable slot formed by a plurality of spaced apart guide posts extending upright in the base, the adjustable slot configured in the base to provide a user with real-time feedback while practicing a bowling swing.
 17. The slot and alignment trainer for bowling of claim 16, wherein the adjustable slot is configured to various widths to provide variable swing paths for a bowling ball.
 18. The slot and alignment trainer for bowling of claim 16, wherein the adjustable slot is configured to various heights to provide variable swing paths for a bowling ball.
 19. The slot and alignment trainer for bowling of claim 18, wherein the variable swing paths have different swing heights along a path of a bowling swing from a front portion of the bowling swing, to a bottom portion of the bowling swing, and to a back portion of the bowling swing.
 20. The slot and alignment trainer for bowling of claim 16, wherein the base and the plurality of guide posts are assembled and unassembled to be portable. 